Our Roots

Nellie C. Ballola

Nellie studied psychology and education at Silliman University, in Dumaguete and her master’s in Industrial Relations at the University of the Philippines in Baguio City. She was a college instructor then a high school teacher and university guidance counselor, before joining a family business as personnel officer then assistant marketing officer. She changed paths when she joined an international NGO as a livelihood officer and was given the opportunity to train as a trainer in enterprise development and, a trainer of trainers. Following she her five year stint at Plan Int’l. she became a free-lance trainer in enterprise development, TOT, researcher and community organizer, for various projects funded by the World Bank, ADB or by international NGO’s in different areas of the country.

In between her consulting and training projects, Nellie joined theUS Peace Corps-Philippines as a trainer in 2003 as a regional and sectoral manager until her retirement in 2010. She has since become an active consultant to different companies including mining companies where she managed the company CSR and mandated socio-economic development projects in the communities. Projects included sustainable livelihood, water management, education and health related projects.

For her volunteer services, she is an active member of the women’s organization in her church, she sits as a member of the board of her high school where she leads in the mobilization of funds to help poor students get quality education and the board of an NGO that promotes sustainable water management, and now, the board of the Global Seed Savers.